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The Ultimate Crispy Southern Fried Potatoes with Onions

Close-up of golden brown fried potatoes cubes mixed with caramelized onions served in a white bowl.

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This recipe delivers perfectly cooked, rustic fried potatoes with shatteringly crisp edges and a tender interior. We use a simple pan-frying method with onions to create classic Southern comfort food ideal for breakfast or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch uniform pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup bacon grease or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover them completely with cold water. Let the potatoes soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This removes excess starch and helps achieve crispiness. Drain the potatoes well and pat them completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for crisp edges.
  2. Heat the bacon grease or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron is best) over medium heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the dried potatoes to the hot skillet in a single layer if possible. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for 8 to 10 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms on the bottom.
  4. Stir the potatoes gently, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes, until the potatoes are tender inside and golden brown on most sides, about 15 to 20 minutes total.
  5. Add the sliced onions to the skillet. Stir them in with the potatoes. Continue cooking for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized and the potatoes are fully cooked through and crispy.
  6. Season the potatoes and onions with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to combine and cook for one final minute.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your crispy fried potatoes immediately as a savory side dish.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, substitute half of the bacon grease with unsalted butter for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • If you prefer diner style potatoes, cut the potatoes into smaller, uniform cubes instead of rustic chunks.
  • To ensure maximum crispiness, make sure your skillet is hot before adding the potatoes, and do not stir them too frequently in the beginning.

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